The Man Behind the Company: Alvin Ailey

I am super happy that we recently started our African Dance Unit and are beginning by learning a dance originally created by Alvin Ailey. I have grown up going to performances by his company, but had never anticipated I would ever learn any. Furthermore, I began thinking about who Alvin Ailey really was. Obviously he was a dancer and created this company, making a lot of his dances based of of his childhood, but what was his motivation? how did it all start? Anyways, I did a bit of research to answer my pondering questions. Not only was Ailey a dancer but an activist. In 2014, many years after he died President Obama awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom. This award recognizes people who have made a contribution to our country by a private endeavor to end an issue or make fairness. What is so amazing about this is Ailey didn't just win an award that shows all the amazing activism he has done, but for the president to be awarding him this so many years later after he had died, shows that he was such an influence. Below is a picture that is on Ailey's wiki page dating to 3 years before he formed his company. I feel like this picture shows honorability and bravery which completely describes Ailey. However, what goes on behind this picture is what I'm really trying to talk about. The editor of his wikipedia page would have had some thought into putting that picture up, and most likely that thought was that Ailey was an admirable person. Lastly, what I'm trying to conclude is Alvin Ailey did more than just dance, he fought for African American's rights and stood up for everyone resulting in his many awards. After doing this research about him, I feel like there is a greater purpose behind our dance in class and so it makes me appreciate it more. I hope this blog post could speak to you and inform you a little on how special Mr. Ailey is, and how great it is to be learning his dance!